Coronavirus disease-2019: Changes in computed tomography radiation burden across Moscow medical facilities

BACKGROUND: The spread of coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) in Moscow has significantly increased the number of chest computed tomography examinations to establish a diagnosis and assess the treatment efficacy. In Moscow, the new approach to diagnostic imaging associated with COVID-19 caused divergent shifts in the volume and structure of the population radiation burden. This study aimed to bridge the gap in data, as no reliable information about the changes in the structure of diagnostic imaging and the current radiation burden due to COVID-19 in the Moscow population has been reported.

AIMS: To evaluate the impact of the pandemic on the computed tomography radiation doses in Moscow medical facilities between 2017 and 2020.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: We collected and analyzed the following data: forms No. 3-DOZ completed by the public and private Moscow medical facilities in 2017–2020; forms No. 30 completed in 2017–2020; data from the Unified Radiological Information Service for 2020. The study provides details about the annual population radiation exposure and the average individual radiation doses, with a breakdown by anatomic region.

RESULTS: The statistical form evaluation elucidated the boost of computed tomography imaging in Moscow, accounting for 31% higher than anticipated. In 2020, the number of chest imaging studies increased almost two-fold compared to the previous periods. Thereby, causing a corresponding increase in the mean effective dose by over two times.

CONCLUSION: The results show that the epidemiological situation of 2020 had a profound effect on the changes in the computed tomography-related radiation exposure, which helped us get insight into the diagnostic effect of certain types of computed tomography studies applied to various anatomic regions. The analysis contributed to a better understanding of the strengths and weaknesses of various statistical forms.